Peyote, a Potential Ethnopharmacologic Agent for Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies: Possible Biochemical Rationale

Abstract

Folk psychiatry among North American Indians was examined from an enthnopharmacologic viewpoint. Alcohol and opiate abuse among Indians and non-Indians was presented in case histories proving to be asymptomatic under indian guidance and through participation in the peyote ritual. The biochemical alkaloids common in the peyote cactus, rather than just the psychoactive substances (mescaline), are pharmacologically similar to the neuroamine-derived alkaloids found in the brain during alcohol intoxication. Possible common features of alcohol and opiate dependence were examined, a common mode of treatment may reside in plants rich in isoquinoline alkaloids.